The Morne Seychellois National Park covers the mountain ridge in the north and centre of Mahé, roughly one fifth of the island. Here stands the highest point of the Seychelles, Morne Seychellois at 905 metres, and here the forest is different from down at the coast: cooler, damper, quieter, with granite, moss, endemic palms and pitcher plants that catch insects.
What makes the park special
Down at the coast, Mahé is a postcard. Up here it is an island that has sat alone in the Indian Ocean for millions of years, and you can see that in the plants: many of them exist nowhere else. The clouds catch on the ridge almost every day. That is why it is green up here and dry down there, and why it can rain on a trail while the sun shines on the beach.
The trails, and who they suit
Copolia is the most famous: roughly one hour up via steps and granite, at the top an open rock platform with views over Victoria, Eden Island and the east coast. Pitcher plants stand right by the trail. Entry is 100 rupees from age twelve.
Morne Blanc is shorter, but steeper: forty to sixty minutes of almost only climbing, at the end a platform above the west coast. The trail starts at the tea factory on Sans Souci Road.
Trois Frères leads up from Victoria to the capital's local mountain, with one of the widest views over the east coast.
Anse Major is not a mountain hike but a coastal trail: from Danzilles near Bel Ombre along the rocky coast to a bay that no road reaches.
Dans Gallas, Ros Lepa and the Gorilla Hike are the trails for those who have been here before and are looking for somewhere you will not meet anyone.
What to wear and bring
Shoes with grip that can get wet. Two litres of water per person. Mosquito repellent. A thin jacket, it is cooler up here. And set off early: between seven and nine it is pleasant, from eleven any climb becomes work.
Alone or with a guide
Copolia and Morne Blanc are marked and doable if you know where the entrance is and how to get there. Everything else quickly becomes confusing: the trails are not signposted, slippery after rain, and there is no mobile signal up here. We take you there, walk with you and bring you back. An overview of all trails is in our article about walks on Mahé.
Close by
The tea factory and Mission Lodge lie on Sans Souci Road in the middle of the park, the Sauzier waterfall and Port Launay down on the west coast.
